Coll 30/5(1) 'Persian Gulf Diaries: Bushire Residency (Persian) Jany. [sic] 1941.' [‎312r] (624/938)

himself, by the Amnieh. Needless to say, it is Rais Ali's
selfishness in keeping the "racket" to himself, rather than
his lawlessness, which has caused the indignant protests.
*^IV. WAR SUPPLIES
The assembly rate of lorries by U.K.C.C. has dropped
still further, owing to the bodies and chassis being dis
charged several days before t.he driver's cabs, preventing
lorries from being completed and removed from the Assembly
fard. ihis has resulted in the Customs Yard becoming choked,
and landing of lorries and other goods has become more
difficult. A considerable improvement could be effected if
an old wrecked barge, lying off the Cusdroms, could be
dynamited. This has bee^n reported and suggested several
times by successive Tenth Army representatives;' but it does
not seem possible to provide a demolition squad.
Numbers of lorries, ready assembled here, are held up
from despatch, for want of drivers. It is understood that
the insecurity of the road further north is ^^eventins drivers
from returning from Tehran. ~
i
A theft of a considerable quantity of sugar from one of
the U.K.C.C. godov/ns took place during the period under
report, when the godown wall was broken down. The guards on
the spot, provided by the Khan of Angali, who was well-
disposed to us in the last war have been arrested for
interrogation. Two persons, i eluding an ex-employee of
U.K.C.C., who was suspected of being behind the strike
reported in para 148 of summary dated 16th July, have been
put into Court in connection with the incident*reported in
para 155 of summary for 31st July.
v - FOOD SITUATION
(a) The s.s. Empire Zeal has brought about 2000 tons
of v/heat, which has relieved the situation,' At one stage
during the period under report, the town had only three"days
£ 'lies; but a consignment of 50 tons from Shiraz tided it
over till the ship arrived.
(b) The worst feature of the situation is smuggling
(largely made possible, as previously reported, by bad
tallying, coupled with the necessity for the lighters to
cover several miles bertween ship and shore, which period
gives ample opportunities for illicit business); and this is
xehx reducing the amount effectively disposable by the
Economics Department. The wheat is, of course,.reaching
Persian mouths; but as a system of distribution it cannot be
admired. All possible pressure is being exercised; but wheli
the Chief of Police (whose dismissal has now, however, been
secured) and Chief of Gendarmerie are taking alternate nights
to rake their own percentage off the smugglers, very iittle
active assista-nce can be expected. The eventual solution can
only be found in armed preventiya patrols in motor launches,
combined with accurate tallying, to enable action to be taken
with certainty against boatmen who show a deficiency.
3d. J. 3. Howe s
Secretary to the Political Readent
in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
British Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. and Consulate-
General, Bushire, 20th August 1942.